Best Infrared Sauna Review: The Top 4

When it comes to choosing an infrared sauna for your home, there’s no shortage of variety in the marketplace today. To make your job easier, we’ve searched far and wide for the best infrared sauna, and we believe we’ve come across some excellent contenders. So, if you’ve been searching through reviews of infrared saunas, look no further. Our best infrared sauna review details pluses and minuses of the top four saunas.

Far infrared sauna 101

Infrared saunas like this one can help detox your body.

Before we can recommend the best saunas on the market today, we’ll start by giving you a brief introduction to the phenomenon that’s transforming the health and wellness industry: the far infrared sauna (see also near infrared sauna).

A far infrared sauna uses a specific wavelength of light to create heat in the body, releasing muscular tension and increasing sweat generation. Infrared technology appeared around the end of the 1800s, and was first known as a “light bath” designed by a man named Dr. J. H. Kellogg.

The far infrared sauna differs from the traditional sauna, which uses heat to warm the air and, in turn, your body. Instead, a far infrared sauna heats your body directly without warming the air around you. These saunas produce the same results as a traditional sauna but at lower temperatures, which makes them more comfortable to use, and far more efficient to run.

What to look for in a far infrared sauna

There are many confusing specifications and technical details that can make your job of choosing the best far infrared sauna a difficult one, so we’ve cut it down to the three fundamental characteristics of a top sauna. Use these to make your shopping job easier.

Size / capacity

Will you sauna need to fit one person, a couple or an entire family?

Saunas come in a range of shapes and sizes to suit your needs. You can even go as far as custom-making your own sauna, if you can afford the hefty price to do so. For anyone else, far infrared saunas come in a range of designs to suit almost all occasions.

Some popular varieties of infrared sauna include:

1, 2, 4 and 5 person capacity

Standard rectangular design

Corner models to suit square rooms

Portable dome types

Start by deciding where in your home you’d like a sauna to go, then find a model to suit your needs. There are many shapes and sizes to suit, so get creative!

Build materials

Different types of wood contribute to a sauna’s overall quality.

Once you’ve figured out the size and style of sauna you’re looking for, it’s time to get in touch with nature, and the materials that make up your sauna.

Saunas are typically constructed of three different types of timber, all with their unique properties that complement your sauna experience. These materials are:

Western red cedar is naturally durable and light, has high resistance to decay, high quality and is renowned for its characteristic aroma.

Nordic spruce is European in origin. It is a no-odour material, light in colour, which has slight resistance to decay.

Canadian hemlock is cheaper and lower-quality material than the above. It requires mild treatment to withstand harsh environmental conditions.

Your choice of material will affect the longevity of your sauna, and the quality of experience you will have. Color, aromas, and chemical treatments are all factors to consider. Naturally, price will vary accordingly, so it’s important to determine what’s most important to you when making your decision.

Heater material

The material construction of heaters used in infrared saunas determine the quality of heat that reaches your body, and ultimately the quality of your sauna experience.

There are three main types of infrared heater available on the market today.

Ceramic has been the “standard” for far infrared saunas in recent years. Due to this fact, it is considered cost-effective and is usually found in economic sauna models. Unfortunately, ceramic heaters produce a higher electro-magntic field (EMF) rating and have a shorter lifespan.

Carbon fibre offers lower EMF, a greater distribution of heat potential, and has a long life span. Is offers more effective heating and is safer for long term use, but comes at a higher cost than the ceramic alternative.

Ceramic/carbon blend is a cost-effective, best-of-both-worlds solution. It combines high heat output, low EMF, and a competitive price point. The ceramic/carbon blend heater is a popular and cost-effective heater for infrared saunas.

In some cases, you may not have an option of what heaters are available to you. If you do, consider your choice wisely as the quality of your sauna experience and the longevity of the unit will ultimately be affected by your decision.

Best infrared sauna review: the top 4

After extensive trials and feedback, we’ve found the top four far infrared saunas on the market today. Look no further, the perfect sauna for your home could be just around the corner.

So, in descending order, here’s our list.

#4. Health Mate Renew 2 far infrared sauna

The Health Mate Renew 2 far infrared sauna is #4 on our list.

The Health Mate Renew 2 far infrared sauna took fourth place of the top four far infrared saunas we found. Although the cedar construction was a definite advantage, the sauna felt lacking in it’s design, and the ceramic heaters weren’t as effective as the other models we reviewed.

Features

7 ceramic heaters

1,630 W power @ 15 amps

FSC certified cedar wood construction

What we liked

FSC cedar construction

Good selection of features

What we didn’t like

Attention to detail

Ceramic heaters

Poor design and functionality

No option for automatic startup and shutdown

#3. Clearlight Essential CE-2 far infrared sauna

The Clearlight Essential CE-2, two-person far infrared sauna is a reasonable choice for the basic sauna lovers out there. It’s standard features are slim, however upgrades are available for an additional cost.

Here’s the low-down:

Features

Far infrared heating technology

7 Low EMF carbon/ceramic composite heater technology heaters

1,750 W @ 15 amps

Constructed from Canadian Nordic spruce

Chromotherapy lights available as an optional upgrade

What we liked

Ultra low EMF ceramic/carbon heaters

Chromotherapy lighting as standard

Tiled, heated floor

What we didn’t like

Spruce construction – uncertified

#2. Sunlighten Signature 2 person far infrared sauna

The Sunlighten Signature two-person far infrared sauna was a close second. It’s 9 ultra low EMF heaters were a drawcard, however the resulting high-energy consumption and cheaper build material were turnoffs when coming to a final decision.

Here’s a summary of what we found.

Features

9 ultra low EMF, ceramic/carbon blend heaters

2,035 W power @ 20 amps

PEFC wood construction. Canadian cedar available as an option

Chromotherapy lights available as an optional upgrade

Removable bench seat for yoga stretching

What we liked

Removable bench seat for stretching / yoga

Ultra low EMF ceramic/carbon heaters

High build quality

What we didn’t like

High power consumption

20 amp plug

PEFC wood as standard. Would prefer cedar.

#1. JNH Lifestyles Joyous 2-person far infrared sauna

Coming in at number one, the JNH Lifestyles Joyous 2 sauna was a clear winner in our book. Combining a mix of style, quality construction, certified building materials, low EMF heaters, and an attractive price-tag, the Joyous 2 is sure to make it’s owner happier and healthier in no time.

The full list of our findings is as follows.

Features

7 low-EMF carbon fibre heaters

1,540 W power @ 15 amps

FSC certified Canadian Hemlock wood construction

What we liked

Economic pricing

Additional features available (oxygen ionizer, chromotherapy lights, lumber and head supports)

FSC certified wood with no chemical added

Dual wall construction – better insulation

Lots of class – good vision to outside. You don’t feel stuck in a box.

Free shipping

What we didn’t like

No floor heater

Your perfect sauna is here

If you’re in the market for a far infrared sauna, then we realise you’re probably bombarded by the choice that’s available out there.

But if you’re looking for a great sauna without the trouble of searching high and low for the best possible option, then we recommend you check out the JNH Lifestyles Joyous 2 for your home.

With an excellent balance of price, design, functionality, and quality, you’re sure to enjoy many detoxifying sauna sessions for many happy years to come.